Selected Projects

Novgorod, Russia

Archaeological excavation at this city, the heart of old Russia, started in 1929 see here. The peaty deposits, often many metres thick, preserve most finds in almost pristine condition. The numerous letters written on birch bark are considered to be some of the most important archaeological finds in Russia. Collaboration between the Russian institutions and Bournemouth University page link here has included a project to train a local archaeozoologist, and the ongoing production of many groundbreaking publications.

The Mary Rose, England

Henry VIII's famous ship sank in 1545 and was raised in 1982. The museum at Portsmouth dockyard remains open while a new hall is being built to display the ship click here. Enormous amounts of research are still ongoing behind the scenes. There is a volume about life on board incorporating evidence from the actual finds and from documents - Before the Mast: Life and Death Aboard the Mary Rose Archaeology of the Mary Rose Volume 4, Mary Rose Trust/Oxbow. Amongst other things there are two chapters by Coy, Hamilton-Dyer & Oxley one on the meat and fish and another discussing the vitalling - the stores included salt cod, and pork and beef in casks (see Coy & 2005 in biblio). A sample of the cod bones has been submitted for isotope analysis as part of a major international project researching the origins of the commercial seafish trade in Northern Europe - click here for more info.

Eastern Desert, Egypt

At Quseir al-Qadim on the Red Sea coast the newly re-identified Roman port of Myos Hormos was excavated by an international team run from Southampton University. The preservation of the Islamic and Roman remains is amazing - paper, coloured cloth, baskets, fish skin and even the fur of the animals. Publication of the latest volume is imminent - and includes the faunal and artefact reports.

Prior to the Quseir project, several members of the team were involved in excavation of the extraordinary Roman quarry complexes of Mons Claudianus and Mons Porphyrites. These projects are already in print.

Archaeological Fish Resources

Not an excavation site but a project including workshops and online digital resources to aid archaeozoologists identifying fishbones, passing on skills and knowledge to the new generation.